You've likely seen by now but the Phoenix Suns were dragged into baseless trade deadline chatter in the last couple of days, with suggestions that the Los Angeles Lakers could be interested in Dillon Brooks.
We already told you that's not going to happen, but that hasn't stopped none other than DeMarcus Cousins from taking this idea one crazier step forward.
Mat Ishbia publicly rejects Austin Reaves for Dillon Brooks
Speaking on the Run It Back show on FanDuel, Cousins was fully behind the idea of the Lakers giving up Austin Reaves if it meant getting Dillon Brooks in Los Angeles. Wow.
Boogie Cousins would trade Austin Reaves for Dillon Brooks "in a heartbeat" 🤯
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 5, 2026
"He's a culture changer. He's a proven winner... Brooks fits exactly what the Lakers need right now. ... why wouldn't you do it?"@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/xaR6ETUfsF
Chandler Parsons wasn't having any of it, and neither was Suns' owner Mat Ishbia. His response definitive and public in the best possible way.
Ishbia has taken a lot of heat for how he has run the organization in the past, but The Valley is going to love the fact he has come out swinging on this one, especially as Reaves is thought of highly throughout the league.
Don't bother calling… Suns aren't interested. Dillon's not going anywhere https://t.co/Jqg6Nxx1D3
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) January 5, 2026
He's in the running to be a first time All-Star this season, but so too should Brooks given he has changed the culture in Phoenix. He has also proven without doubt that he is the best co-star Devin Booker has had since Chris Paul.
It is a bold claim from Cousins, and if we're being as balanced as possible on this then the prospect of getting Reaves is at least a conversation. Many would argue he is the better player, although Brooks continues to get slept on.
Ishbia clearly loves what he has seen from Brooks and the entire roster, and unlike before he's not willing to give up that chemistry at the first opportunity to potentially get better.
Not that Reaves is on the level of Kevin Durant, but he's an elite offensive player in his own right and in theory at least would provide a lethal tandem with Booker.
Only they've got Jalen Green to come back to do that, while Cousins also made the point that Brooks right now is playing like the better two-way player.
Hard to argue with that after watching him make some difficult shots in the best win of the season over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it is clear he has the full backing of the owner of the franchise as well.
Another reminder of how high this roster is soaring so far in 2025-26.